Ya-Chih “Jilly” Chang, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Special Education and Counseling at California State University, Los Angeles. Her research focuses on social communication interventions with young children with autism and other developmental disabilities, the implementation of evidence-based interventions for young children with disabilities in inclusive settings, and community-partnered interventions for culturally and linguistically diverse children and families.
External Grants
Chang, Y.C. (PI), Kasari, C., & Shire, S. (Co-PIs). (2023-2028). Leaders in Multilingualism, Autism, and Early Childhood Supports, Training, and Research Opportunities (LMAESTRO). Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (H325D230051). $3,750,000.
Kamei-Hannan, C. (PI), & Chang, Y.C. (Co-PI). (2023-2028). BIlingual Education Preparation and Network in Visual Impairment and Early Childhood Special EducatioN to Increase and Develop Optimal Supports in Language and Literacy (BIENVENIDOS). Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (H325M230045). $1,250,000.
Chang, Y.C. (PI), Fryling, M. (Co-I). (2018-2023). Partners in Improving Social Communication in Early Childhood Special Education (PISCES). Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education (H325K180154). $1,250,000.
Chang, Y.C. (PI), Osipova, A. (Co-PI). (2022-2023). Improving and Reimagining Educational Approaches for Dyslexia (iREAD). California Commission on Teacher Credentialing- Dyslexia Grants to Preparation Programs. $14,000.
Selected Publications
McLeod, R., Chai, Z., Malmburg, D., Chang, Y.C., Hunt, N., O’Grady, C., Tomeny, K., Oh, J., & Bhattashali, A. (2024). Field Experiences in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE): Preparing Teachers for Success in Diverse Early Education Settings. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 4(1), 86-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33043/a4yz726r
Shire, S., Shih, W., Chang, Y.C., Kodjoe, M., Nodzo, S., & Kasari, C. (2024). Comparing the Implementation Context for Early Intervention Services Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prevention Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-024-01696-5
Chang, Y.C., & Drescher, T. (2023). Addressing Attrition: Multi-level mentorship model. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 3(1), 68-75. DOI: 10.33043/JOSEP.3.1.68-75
Chang, Y.C., Hunt, N., & Dodds, R. (2023). Building Better Bridges: Perceptions of transition from early intervention programs to preschool from culturally and linguistically diverse parents, early interventionists, and preschool special educators. Infants and Young Children, 36(2), 164-174. DOI: 10.1097/IYC.0000000000000237
Chang, Y.C., Osipova, A., & Weinberg, L. (2023). Mentoring and Empowering Doctoral Students Through Collaborative Co-Teaching: Lessons from a joint doctoral program in special education. In B. Butler, A. Cuenca, and J. Ritter (Eds)., Pathways into teacher education: Profiles in emerging teacher educator development. Information Age Publishing.
Chang, Y.C., Shire, S., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2023). Developmental Play Skills as Outcomes of Early Intervention. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 10.1007/s10803-023-06147-8
Chang, Y.C., Symon, J., & Fryling, M. (2023). Partners in Improving Social Communication in Children with Disabilities in Urban Early Childhood Settings. In D. Slanda and D. Pike (Eds)., Handbook of Research on Interdisciplinary Preparation for Equitable Special Education (pp. 177-197). IGI Global: Pennsylvania.
Dean, M., Chang, Y.C., Shih, W., Orlich, F., & Kasari, C. (2023). Social Engagement and Loneliness in School-Age Autistic Girls and Boys. Women’s Health, 19, 1-12. DOI: 10.1177/17455057231170973
Menzies, H., Chang, Y.C., & Menzies-Smith, L.* (2023). Using Behavior Specific Praise to Support Intrinsic Motivation. Beyond Behavior, 32(3), 173-181. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10742956231200899
Chang, Y.C., Avila, M.^, & Rodriguez, H.^ (2022). Beyond the Dotted Line: Empowering parent participation in culturally and linguistically diverse families. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 55(2),132-140. DOI: 10.1177/00400599221099868
Chang, Y.C., & Dean, M. (2022). Friendship Interventions and Measurements in Children with ASD: A systematic review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2022.101947
Chang, Y.C., Shire, S., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2022). Brief Report: An Exploratory Study of Young Dual Language Learners with Autism in a School-Based Intervention. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05765-y
Drescher, T., & Chang, Y.C. (2022). Benefits of Collaborative Teaching Models in Teacher Education Programs: Sharing disability knowledge and promoting inclusion. Teacher Development, 26(2), 151-165. DOI: 10.1080/13664530.2022.2032299
Seng, G.J., Chiu, Y.N., Tsai, W.C., Lin, H.Y., Li, S.C., Hsiao, M.N., Liu, T.J., Chen, H.M., Shih, A., Chang, Y.C., WHO CST Team, & Soong, W.T. (2022). Promotion and Implementation Effectiveness of World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training Program in Taiwan. Frontiers in Psychiatry. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.904380
Selected Presentations
Chang, Y.C., & Drescher, T. (2024, November). Working in Under-Resourced Communities: A test of mettle in early childhood special educators. Conversation Table at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Chang, Y.C., Osipova, A., & Sears, S. (2024, November). Forging Ahead in Early Intervention: Early Literacy Instruction and Interventions for Diverse Young Learners. Interactive Poster at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Chang, Y.C., & Osipova, A. (2024, October). Enhancing ECSE: Equity-Centered Literacy Instruction for Children At-Risk for Dyslexia. Panel presentation at the 46th International Conference on Learning Disabilities in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Chang, Y.C., & Drescher, T. (2024, September). Leveraging Individual and Community Cultural and Social Assets. Poster presentation at the Division for Early Childhood’s 40th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and their Families in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chang, Y.C., Symon, J., & Fryling, M. (2024, September). Pre-service Training of ECSE Teachers and BCBAs in Urban Communities. Poster presentation at the Division for Early Childhood’s 40th Annual International Conference on Young Children with Disabilities and their Families in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chang, Y.C., Symon, J., & Fryling, M. (2024, August). Recognition of Cultural and Linguistic Contexts: Conversations in Fieldwork. Poster presentation at the 2024 OSEP Leadership & Project Directors' Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
Chang, Y.C., Dean, M., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2024, May). Perceptions of Friendships and Social Engagement in Elementary Autistic Children. Poster presentation at the 23rd Annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
Chang, Y.C., Shire, S., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2024, May). Mediation of Play Skills in School-Based Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism. Poster presentation at the 23rd Annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
Chang, Y.C., Shire, S., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2023, May). The Emergence of Joint Attention Skills in a Diverse Sample of Autistic Children. Poster presentation at the 22nd Annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference in Stockholm, Sweden.
Chang, Y.C. (2023, March). Early Intervention. Invited speaker at the Autism Speaks National Pathways to Early Intervention and Support Event.
Chang, Y.C., Symon, J., Orta, C.*, Garcia, H.*, & Fryling, M. (2023, January). Interdisciplinary collaboration through a preservice training program in Autism Spectrum Disorders for Early Childhood Special Educators and Behavior Analysts: Exploring the process for meaningful outcomes. Poster presentation at the 21st Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Chang, Y.C., & Drescher, T. (2022, November). Strengthening the “Bridge” for Additional Demands: Preparing ECSE Teachers in Under-Resourced Classrooms. Conversation Tables at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children in Richmond, Virginia.
Chang, Y.C., & Osipova, A. (2022, September). Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Early Literacy Instruction for Diverse Young Learners. Poster presentation at the International Society for Early Intervention in Chicago, Illinois.
Chang, Y.C., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2022, May). Social Engagement in Children with ASD in Inclusive Urban Classrooms. Poster presentation at the 21st Annual International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Conference in Austin, Texas.
Chang, Y.C., Shire, S., Shih, W., & Kasari, C. (2022, April). Improving Developmental Play in Young Children with Autism. Poster presentation at the SRCD 2022 Special Topic Meeting: Learning through Play and Imagination: Expanding Perspectives, St. Louis, Missouri.
Chang, Y.C., Avila, M., & Rodriguez, H. (2022, January). Making Key Connections: Supporting Novice Teachers in Urban Communities. Poster Presentation at the 2022 CEC Convention and Expo, Orlando, Florida.
Chang, Y.C., & Hunt, N. (2022, January). Resilience in Challenging Times: Building Support Systems for Early Childhood Special Education Preservice Teachers. Poster Presentation at the 2022 CEC Convention and Expo, Orlando, Florida.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
2012 Ph.D., Education, University of California, Los Angeles
2009 M.A., Education, University of California, Los Angeles
2005 B.A., Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles